Several times so far I have tried to explain to foreigners how coffee is served in Bulgaria. Everyone is endlessly amazed.
You know, in some countries coffee is served with a glass of water. In other countries - accompanied by a cookie. In third ones - with a free piece of cake or something else to eat.
In Bulgaria, they are served with wishes written on paper, the so-called "fortune", similar to fortune cookies.
Of course, this is by no means free. Especially years ago when it was kind of a novelty. Only the expensive coffees were thus served. And especially that of Lavazza, because, I don't know about your places, but in Bulgaria Lavazza is the most widespread and more expensive than the other coffee brands. Therefore, in the menu of many establishments you can see the following: espresso coffee and Lavazza espresso coffee, which is more expensive and is served with these wishes written on a rolled up piece of paper.
Many people perceive these pieces of paper as omens, or even as prophecy. And how can a prediction be free? (Nothing is free in Bulgaria anyway.) And I'm sure that many people in the beginning, and maybe even now, ordered such, more expensive coffee, just to see what their luck would be today. What will happen to them? What fate has predetermined?
And on these pieces of paper something good is invariably written: success, money, surprise, new acquaintance, travel, etc.
And people are happy. It makes them happy.
Of course.
It took me many years to realize what a unique and ingenious niche this is for a poor people. Everyone wants someone to say something nice to them today, right? And enterprising minds know that anyone would pay here, in this country, for a good word, for a good thing. They know that a person can become happy just by a kind word, by a small gesture. We are not as complex creatures as we imagine. We all want the same things, although we have already forgotten this and disguised it under various other activities and intentions.
Anyway, check out this message: "If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you don't buy with money."
It's genius, isn't it? 😃
I wish I could be that genius and invent a niche that works on people on such a deep psychological level without them realizing it, without them ever knowing.
Copyright: 
| Soul's Detour is a project started by me years ago when I had a blog about historical and not so popular tourist destinations in Eastern Belgium, West Germany and Luxembourg. Nowadays, this blog no longer exists, but I'm still here - passionate about architecture, art and mysteries and eager to share my discoveries and point of view with you. |
